Collapsible clothes rack



May 22, 1962 B. L. WEISS 3,035,709

COLLAPSIBLE CLOTHES RACK Filed Sept. 16, 1960 FIG. i.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fi 1y if 43 4 a i! F" i i u M 46' J7 2 INVE OR.

48 L 9 I 1) BY Elm, M? 5o M May 22, 1962 B. L. WEISS 3,035,709

COLLAPSIBLE CLOTHES RACK Filed Sept. 16, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGS.

United States Patent Ofi' 3,035,739 Patented May 22, 1962 3,035,709 COLLAPSIBLE CLOTHES RACK Barry L. Weiss, 1 Washington Square Village, New York, N.Y. Filed Sept. 16, 1960, Ser. No. 56,557 8 Claims. (Cl. 21193) This invention relates generally to racks, and is especially concerned with collapsible racks for clothes and the like.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a collapsible rack of the type described which is entirely unique and of greatly simplified construction, capable of being readily installed, and quickly and easily transformed between its inoperative collapsed position and its operative set-up condition by unskilled persons without instruction or training.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a collapsible clothes rack for mounting on a wall, which rack is neat and esthetically attractive in appearance both in its operative and inoperative conditions, capable of wide variation in design to achieve a multitude of esthetic effects, and which is collapsible to occupy only negligible space when not in use for attractive but unobtrusive appearance.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a collapsible clothes rack having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs which is simple, durable and reliable in construction, staunch and sturdy in use, which can be inexpensively manufactured, and economiesachieved by shipment and storage in collapsed condition, for mass production and sale at a reasonable price.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective View showing a collapsible rack of the present invention in its operative or set-up condition of use;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front elevational view of the operative device of FIG. 1, parts being shown in phantom in collapsed condiiton, and arrows indicating the direction of collapsing movement;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the device of FIG. 2, somewhat enlarged for clarity of understanding;

FIG. 4 is a partial transverse sectional view, somewhat enlarged, showing the wall mount of the instant rack construction;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view showing the rack of FIGS. 1-4, but in its collapsed or inoperative condition;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational View of the instant rack in its collapsed condition of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 77 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, partial sectional view taken substantially along the line 88 of FIG. 2, but showing the rack in an intermediate condition of erection or collapse; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view, somewhat enlarged, taken substantially along the line 99' of FIG. 3.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGS. 1-3 thereof, the clothes rack is there generally designated 20, and includes an open frame or mount 21 of generally rectangular configuration adapted to be secured in a vertical plane, substantially flat against a supporting wall, as at 22in FIG. 4. The mount 21 may be fabricated of rod, tubing, stock, or the like and bent to form a generally laterally or horizontally extending top piece 23, from opposite ends of which depend generally vertically extending side pieces 24. A bottom piece 25 may extend laterally between the lower ends of the side pieces 24, being substantially coplanar with the side pieces and the top piece 23. Suitable openings or holes 26, preferably extending obliquely outward and upward, see FIG. 4, may be formed in the mount 21 for receiving fasteners 27 securing the mount fast to the wall 22.

Pivoted or hingedly connected to the top member 23 is a generally laterally extending shelf 30. The shelf 30 is advantageously formed of a generally rectangular open frame having a pair of generally parallel lateral pieces 31 and 32, and a pair of side pieces 33 each extending normal to and between an adjacent pair of ends of the lateral pieces. Within the open frame of shelf 30, substantially coplanar therewith, may be provided ornamental wire or scrollwork 34.

One lateral member 31 of the shelf 31 is pivotally connected to the top piece 23 of the mount 21 as by a plurality of hinge strips or straps 35. As best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the straps 35 may be loosely curled about the shelf element 31, and fixedly secured to the forward side of top piece 23, as by welding or the like. The shelf element is thus journaled or supported for axial rotation by the straps 35, and located slightly below and forward of the top piece 23.

By this construction, the shelf 30 is mounted for swinging movement about the horizontal, laterally extending axis of shelf element 31 between its generally horizontal set-up condition of FIG. 1 outstanding from the mount 21, and a generally vertically disposed or depending,

downwardly swung position, as in FIGS. 5-7 illustrating the collapsed condition. It will also be observed, see FIG. 5, that the rectangular-outline configuration of the shelf 30 is similar to but slightly smaller than the rectangular-outline configuration of the mount 21. Hence,

: in the collapsed or non-use condition of FIG. 5, the generally vertically disposed shelf 34 is attractively framed by the fixed mount 21.

Connected to the shelf 30, at each side thereof, is a brace, generally designated 38, also preferably fabricated of an open, generally rectangular frame, having front and rear pieces 39 and 40, and top and bottom pieces 41 and 42. The piece 41 of each brace 38 extends along and beneath'a respective side piece 33 of the shelf 30 and is hingedly connected or pivoted to the adjacent side piece by hinge strips or straps 43. That is, the hinge straps 43 each embrace a side piece 33 and the adjacent brace piece 41 to mount the brace for swinging movement generally about the axis of its piece 41. Thus, each brace 38 is swingable between its operative position depending from the adjacent shelf side piece 33, as shown in solid lines in FIGS. 1-3, and the 'brace position shown in phantom in FIG. 2 closely underlying the shelf.

In addition, each brace is provided with ornamental wire or scrollwork 45, substantially coplanar with the respective brace. The wirework 45 of each brace preferably includes a free-end portion 46 located in the brace region remote from the mount 21 and shelf 30, proximate to the intersection of brace pieces 39 and 42.

Secured, as by welding or other suitable means to each side piece 24 of the mount 21, adjacent to the lower end thereof, is a holding member 48. Each holding member 48 may consist of a generally U-shaped wire or the like having the distal ends of its legs secured to the inner side of the respective side piece 24 and extending outward therefrom to define a closed loop. As the side pieces 24 of the mount 21 are preferably fabricated of round tubing a or rod stock, and as each holding member 48 is secured on the inner side of a respective side piece 24 in a generally vertically disposed, forwardly and rearwardly extending plane, it will be appreciated that a generally forwardly facing recess 50 is defined at the juncture of each holding member 48 and its adjacent side piece 24.

In addition, a clothes-hanger supporting rod or bar 51 is provided, which is formed adjacent to each of its opposite ends with a diametral through opening or bore 52, see FIG. 9.

In the operative, set-up condition of FIG. 1, the braces 38 each depend generally vertically from its respective shelf side piece 33; and, each rear brace piece 40 engages with the adjacent holding member 48, on the laterally outer side thereof, being simultaneously received in the adjacent recms 50. Also, the hanger-supporting bar 51 extends laterally and generally horizontally beneath the horizontally disposed shelf 30, extending between the braces 38 and supported thereby. Specifically, the freeend portion 46 of each scrollwork 45 engages through a respective bar aperture 52, so that the bar is effectively supported in its horizontal disposition, while serving to rigidify the remainder of the structure. Further, movement of the braces 38 is effectively limited by engagement thereof with the holding members 48, and engagement of the brace pieces 40 in the respective recesses 50, all of which further increases rigidity of the operative assembly.

In order to collapse the device 20, it is only necessary to remove the bar 51 from inter-engagement with the scrollwork 45, by mere movement of the bar beyond the end portions 46. The shelf 30 may then be swung upward, say to the position shown in FIG. 8, whereupon the braces 38 may be swung inward and upward past their adjacent holding members 48 to the dot-and-dash-outline position of FIG. 2. The shelf 30' and underlying braces 38 may then be swung downward together to the position shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in which the braces are received within the mount 21 to define a highly compact unit. The previously removed hanger bar or tube 51 may then be inserted through the loops of holding members 48, as seen in FIGS. 7, extending entirely across and in front of the collapsed shelf 30 to retain the shelf and braces 38 in their collapsed condition.

Of course, erection or setting up of the rack may be quickly and easily accomplished by mere reversal of the above-described procedure.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a collapsible clothes rack which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture, distribution and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible clothes rack comprising a mount for securement to a supporting wall, a shelf pivoted to said mount for swinging movement about a horizontal axis between an outstanding operative position and a depending collapsed position, a pair of braces each pivoted to said shelf for swinging movement between an operative position depending from said shelf in operative position of the latter and a collapsed position generally parallel to said shelf and interposed between the latter and the supporting wall when said shelf is collapsed, an elongate clothes-hanger bar adapted to extend in operative position horizontally between said braces when said braces and shelf are in operative position, inter-engageable means on said bar and braces for removably securing said bar in operative position, and a pair of spaced holding members on said mount for removably holding said bar in collapsed position for storage upon removal from its operative position.

2. A collapsible clothes rack according to claim 1,

said holding members extending outward beyond said shelf when the latter is collapsed and on opposite sides of said shelf, said bar in its collapsed position extending between said holding members across said shelf.

3. A collapsible clothes rack comprising an open frame for securement substantially fiat against a supporting wall and having a laterally extending top piece and a pair of depending side pieces, a laterally disposed shelf extending along said top piece and terminating at its opposite sides short of said side pieces, pivot means connecting said shelf to said top piece for swinging movement about a laterally extending axis between an outstanding operative position and a depending collapsed position, a pair of braces each pivoted to one side of said shelf for swinging movement between an operative position depending from said shelf in operative position of the latter normal to said wall and a collapsed position generally parallel to said shelf and interposed between the latter and the sup porting wall when said shelf is collapsed, an elongate clothes-hanger bar adapted to extend in operative position laterally between said braces spaced below said shelf when said braces and shelf are in operative position, interengageable means on said bar and braces for removably securing said bar in its operative position, and a holding member outstanding from each of said side pieces for removably holding said bar in a collapsed position extending across said shelf when the latter is in its collapsed position.

4. A collapsible clothes rack comprising a mount for securement to a supporting wall, a shelf pivoted to said mount for swinging movement about a horizontal axis between an outstanding operative position and a depending collapsed position, a pair of braces each pivoted to said shelf for swinging movement between an operative position depending from said shelf in operative position of the latter and a collapsed position generally parallel to said shelf and interposed between the latter and the supporting wall when said shelf is collapsed, an elongate clotheshanger bar adapted to extend in operative position horizontally between said braces when said braces and shelf are in operative position, interengageable means on said bar and braces for removably securing said bar in opera.- tive position, and a pair of spaced holding members on said mount for removably holding said bar in collapsed position for storage upon removal from its operative position, said braces in their operative position being engageable with said holding members for increased rigidity.

5. A collapsible clothes rack comprising a mount for securement to a supporting wall, a shelf pivoted to said mount for swinging movement about a horizontal axis between an outstanding operative position and a depending collapsed position, a pair of braces each pivoted to said shelf for swinging movement between an operative position depending from said shelf in operative position of the latter and a collapsed position generally parallel to said shelf and interposed between the latter and the supporting wall when said shelf is collapsed, an elongate clothes-hanger bar adapted to extend in operative position horizontally between said braces when said braces and shelf are in operative position, interengageable means on said bar and braces for removably securing said bar in operative position, and a pair of spaced holding members on said mount for removably holding said bar in collapsed position for storage upon removal from its operative position, said mount comprising a laterally extending top piece pivotally carrying said shelf, and a pair of side places depending from said top piece on opposite sides of said shelf, said holding members each extending outward from a respective side piece beyond said shelf when the latter is collapsed, whereby said bar extends across said shelf in the collapsed position to retain said shelf and braces collapsed.

6. A collapsible clothes rack comprising a mount for securement to a supporting wall, a shelf pivoted to said mount for swinging movement about a horizontal axis between an outstanding operative position and a depending collapsed position, a pair of braces each pivoted to said shelf for swinging movemenv between an operative position depending from said shelf in operative position of the latter and a collapsed position generally parallel to said shelf and interposed between the latter and the supporting wall when said shelf is collapsed, an elongate clotheshanger bar adapted to extend in operative position horizontally between said braces when said braces and shelf are in operative position, interengageable means on said bar and braces for removably securing said bar in operative position, and a pair of spaced holding members on said mount for removably holding said bar in collapsed position for storage upon removal from its operative position, said interengageable means comprising scrollwork on each of said braces and terminating in a free end, said bar being formed with openings removably receiving said free ends.

7. A collapsible clothes rack comprising an open frame for securement substantially flat against a supporting wall and having a laterally extending top piece and a pair of depending side pieces, a laterally disposed shelf extending along said top piece and terminating at its opposite sides short of said side pieces, pivot means connecting said shelf to said top piece for swinging movement about a laterally extending axis between an outstanding operative position and a depending collapsed position, a pair of braces each pivoted to one side of said shelf for swinging movement between an operative position depending from said shelf in operative position of the latter normal to said wall and a collapsed position generally parallel to said shelf and interposed between the latter and the supporting wall when said shelf i collapsed, an elongate clothes-hanger bar adapted to extend in operative position laterally between said braces spaced below said shelf when said braces and shelf are in operative position, interengageable means on said bar and braces for removably securing said bar in its operative position, and a holding member outstanding from each of said side pieces for removably holding said bar in a collapsed position extending across said shelf when the latter is in its collapsed position, said braces in their operative position being engageable with said holding members to enhance rigidity.

8. A collapsible clothes rack comprising an open frame for securement substantially flat against a supporting wall and having a laterally extending top piece and a pair of depending side pieces, a laterally disposed shelf extending along said top piece and terminating at its opposite sides short of said side pieces, pivot means connecting said shelf to said top piece for swinging movement about a laterally extending axis between an outstanding operative position and a depending collapsed position, a pair of braces each pivoted to one side of said shelf for swinging movement between an operative position depending from said shelf in operative position of the latter normal to said wall and a collapsed position generally parallel to said shelf and interposed between the latter and the supporting wall when said shelf is collapsed, an elongate clothes-hanger bar adapted to extend in operative position laterally between said braces spaced below said shelf when said braces and shelf are in operative position, interengageable means on said bar and braces for removably securing said bar in its operative position, and a holding member outstanding from each of said side pieces for removably holding said bar in a collapsed position extending across said shelf when the latter is in its collapsed position, said braces in their operative position being engageable with said holding members to enhance rigidity, each of said side pieces and its adjacent holding member combining to define a recess for receiving a portion of the adjacent brace in its operative position, for further rigidifying effect.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

